Dr Humanities

The last of my 2026 GCSE students finished up on Tuesday with Edexcel History paper 3!📝

Today, kind words from the mum of a Year 11 student on that Edexcel course.😊

Like me, she left school in search of a better way to do learning. 🏃‍♀️🏫

When we began in January 2025, she was understandably low on confidence after her time in the classroom.😢

We worked together to build up knowledge and understanding over time; when you do that, the self-belief always follows.💪

Now, she’s consistently acing her practice questions and ready to achieve in those summer exams!📈

Y10s and Y12s, I’m currently booking in students for a start right now or in September and I’ll be delighted to have you along to support you with that key quartet of knowledge, exam technique, revision skill and, yes, confidence!!😎

Just a place or two left now, though!⏱️

Dr Christopher Banham is ‘Dr Humanities’, tutoring in History, Geography and Religious Studies at KS3, GCSE and A level in the UK and worldwide.👨‍🎓

Message me here on social media or email [email protected] to chat about how we can work together!🙂

Yesterday I read an interesting article about the USA men’s football team, currently warming up for this summer’s World Cup.⚽️

The Guardian piece by Leander Schaerlaeckens explores the growing role of Christianity within the Team USA.🇺🇸

Players including Christian Pulisic openly speak about their faith, share Bible verses, pray together and take part in Bible studies.📖

The article argues that this reflects a broader shift in American culture, where public expressions of faith have become more common.⛪️

It also places the team's religious culture against the backdrop of debates about Christian nationalism and its association with Donald Trump's political movement, highlighting the increasingly complex relationship between religion and politics in the US.✟

While not every player is religious, faith appears to play an important role for many within the squad, providing a sense of identity, purpose and community.👍

GCSE and A level Religious Studies students, there isn’t much scope in your courses to talk about sport – alas, the days of the excellent AQA ‘Religious Expression in Society’ unit are long gone!👎

However, there are plenty of opportunities to talk about the nature and purpose of prayer, so you can certainly use Team USA in that context.🙏

Dr Christopher Banham is ‘Dr Humanities’, tutoring in History, Geography and Religious Studies at KS3, GCSE and A level in the UK and worldwide.👨‍🎓

Message me here on social media or email [email protected] to chat about how we can work together!🙂

I’m currently booking in students for June and September, when my exam candidates leave, and I’ll be delighted to have you along! Just a place or two left now!🤜🤛

On my local high street in Horsforth, North Leeds, another new barber is opening up!💇

This reminded of a fun summertime activity I invented a couple of years ago here on social media!🌞

As part of AQA and Edexcel GCSE History unit ‘Medicine Through Time’, students cover a range of medieval medics: physicians, apothecaries and barber surgeons.🏨

A barber surgeon was a barber who also performed small surgeries, like tooth extractions and blood-letting.🦷

To advertise their services, they displayed a sign featuring a bloodied arm outside of their shops…💪

…which over time became the red and white barber pole!💈

At the time I remarked that you don’t see them these days. I hadn’t seen one for years. Maybe you’d see one at a really old-fashioned establishment, or an ironic hipster beard-massager.💇‍♂️

Then I looked more carefully on my local high street.👀

Three! All on regular, day-to-day barbers!💈💈💈

Funny how these things pass us by as we go about our lives.🤔

This summer, as you’re walking around your home town or a holiday destination, keep a tally of how many barber’s poles you see, and remember where it all started: with the barber surgeon!✂

Let me know in the comments below if you see any!👇

Dr Christopher Banham is ‘Dr Humanities’, tutoring in History, Geography and Religious Studies at KS3, GCSE and A level in the UK and worldwide.👨‍🎓

Message me here on social media or email [email protected] to chat about how we can work together!🙂

I’m currently booking in students for June and September, when my exam candidates leave, and I’ll be delighted to have you along! Just a place or two left now!🤜🤛

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Yes, it’s official!👍

2026 will see the release of the long-rumoured LEGO® Sagrada Familia.😮

At a massive 12,060 pieces, LEGO® SF will be the largest set of all time!🤯

Launching on 1st November, the price tag is similarly hefty: £649.99.💰

More than a century in the making, the SF is one of the most significant religious buildings of modern times and a welcome addition to the LEGO® world.⛪️

It’s a bit big for me … and I’m more about building, not displaying … so I won’t be putting my hand in my pocket.🤔

Still, it has managed to capture many of the intricacies of this incredible edifice! Have a look on the LEGO® website and see what you think!🔎

⏰Don’t forget, Let’s Build History! happens on Zoom every Tuesday from 10.00-11.00am.⏰

Each week we use our bricks to explore a different fascinating aspect of the past, learning and growing as we build together!🧑🏰👧

Your 1985 LEGO® ‘Master Builder’-awarded host is me, Dr Christopher Banham!👨‍🎓

Let’s Build History! is designed for ages 7-14 (KS2-KS3), but don’t worry, home-edders of all ages are most welcome!👍

Grab your bricks and come join the build! 🧱🧱🧱

💻To book in, just go to: https://linktr.ee/drhumanities 💻

👨‍🎓Dr Christopher Banham is ‘Dr Humanities’, tutoring in History, Geography and Religious Studies at KS3, GCSE and A level, UK and worldwide.👨‍🎓

🧱LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group of companies; no sponsorship, authorisation or endorsement is implied.🧱

⛴️⛴️⛴️BUILD 19: INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION NARROWBOAT!!⛴️⛴️⛴️

⏰THIS WEEK, TUESDAY 9TH JUNE 2026 10-11AM!!⏰

💻To book in, just go to: https://linktr.ee/drhumanities 💻

We all know LEGO® is fun!🥰

Did you know that research shows LEGO® is great for learning too?🧠

✅Increased engagement, motivation and enjoyment.
✅Enhanced problem solving and critical thinking.
✅Improved social and emotional skills.

The most beneficial LEGO® activities involve structured learning rather than free play.📋

That’s what Let’s Build History!, exclusively for home-educated students, is all about!😯

Each week we use our bricks to explore a different fascinating aspect of the past, learning and growing as we build together!🧑🏰👧

Your 1985 LEGO® ‘Master Builder’-awarded host is me, Dr Christopher Banham!👨‍🎓

✅Internationally-published historian.
✅20+ years a teacher and leader in humanities education.
✅Tutoring since 2008, now a full-time professional tutor.
✅Full enhanced DBS, registered on the update service and checked daily; safeguarding trained.
✅Four decades of LEGO®-building expertise!

Let’s Build History! is designed for ages 7-14 (KS2-KS3), but don’t worry, home-edders of all ages are most welcome!👍

Grab your bricks and come join the build! 🧱🧱🧱

👨‍🎓Dr Christopher Banham is ‘Dr Humanities’, tutoring in History, Geography and Religious Studies at KS3, GCSE and A level, UK and worldwide.👨‍🎓

🧱LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group of companies; no sponsorship, authorisation or endorsement is implied.🧱

✈️✈️✈️This week we’ve built CONCORDE!! Swipe to see our stars!!✈️✈️✈️

⏰JOIN US FOR THE NEXT BUILD ON TUESDAY 9TH JUNE 2026 10-11AM!!⏰

👆Just follow the link in my profile to book in!👆

💻To book in, just go to: https://linktr.ee/drhumanities 💻

Did you know that research shows LEGO® is great for learning too?🧠

✅Increased engagement, motivation and enjoyment.
✅Enhanced problem solving and critical thinking.
✅Improved social and emotional skills.

The most beneficial LEGO® activities involve structured learning rather than free play.📋

That’s what Let’s Build History!, exclusively for home-educated students, is all about!😯

Each week we use our bricks to explore a different fascinating aspect of the past, learning and growing as we build together!🧑🏰👧

Your 1985 LEGO® ‘Master Builder’-awarded host is me, Dr Christopher Banham!👨‍🎓

✅Internationally-published historian.
✅20+ years a teacher and leader in humanities education.
✅Tutoring since 2008, now a full-time professional tutor.
✅Full enhanced DBS, registered on the update service and checked daily; safeguarding trained.
✅Four decades of LEGO®-building expertise!

Let’s Build History! is designed for ages 7-14 (KS2-KS3), but don’t worry, home-edders of all ages are most welcome!👍

Grab your bricks and come join the build! 🧱🧱🧱

👨‍🎓Dr Christopher Banham is ‘Dr Humanities’, tutoring in History, Geography and Religious Studies at KS3, GCSE and A level, UK and worldwide.👨‍🎓

🧱LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group of companies; no sponsorship, authorisation or endorsement is implied.🧱

Keen historians will recall that last July I reported that the Bayeux Tapestry will be vising England!😮

The famous embroidery of the Norman Conquest will be hosted by British Museum in London from autumn 2026 until July 2027, while France’s Bayeux Museum is being renovated.🏛

Although it is thought to have been made in Kent, this is the first time it will have returned to England in 900 years!🧶

🎟️🎟️🎟️An update this week is that tickets for September to December 2026 will open on 1st July! Go to the British Museum’s website for further details! I’ll see you in London!🎟️🎟️🎟️

I’m sure that GCSE historians studying either AQA or Edexcel’s Norman England units will be especially keen to see this unique artefact in real life!📚

Dr Christopher Banham is ‘Dr Humanities’, tutoring in History, Geography and Religious Studies at KS3, GCSE and A level in the UK and worldwide.👨‍🎓

Message me here on social media or email [email protected] to chat about how we can work together!🙂

I’m currently booking in students for June and September, when my exam candidates leave, and I’ll be delighted to have you along! Just a place or two left now!🤜🤛

#

This Sunday, Catholic Christians in England and Wales celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known as ‘Corpus Christi’.🩸

The feast is a special opportunity to give thanks for the gift of the Eucharist, in which Catholics believe Jesus Christ is truly present under the guise of bread and wine.🍞🍷

It reminds Catholics that Christ nourishes his people, and unites the Church as one body, in a unique and intimate way.⛪️

Corpus Christi is both a celebration of God's love and an invitation to deepen faith, worship, and service to others.🙏

The existence of Jesus in the Eucharist, which Catholics call the ‘Real Presence’, is part of all the Catholic GCSE specifications. You could refer to Corpus Christi in answer to any exam question about the importance of the Real Presence to Catholics.📝

When I was little we always had a Corpus Christi-themed procession around the village, with a big Jesus banner and all-red clothes, a simpler version of the procession in this painting! Sounds very quaint in 2026, doesn’t it?🤔

Dr Christopher Banham is ‘Dr Humanities’, tutoring in History, Geography and Religious Studies at KS3, GCSE and A level in the UK and worldwide.👨‍🎓

Message me here on social media or email [email protected] to chat about how we can work together!🙂

I’m currently booking in students for June and September, when my exam candidates leave, and I’ll be delighted to have you along! Just a place or two left now!🤜🤛

Volume three million in an ever-growing library of ‘history’ books about things I was around for.📚

From the blurb:

💬1996. Britpop ruled the airwaves.
The tabloids framed reality long before Instagram. Football was finally coming home. Tony Blair was learning to play rock star – and rock stars were learning they could play politics. Everyone was partying hard, and Britain was the coolest place on earth.

Showbiz reporter Dominic Mohan wasn’t watching the party from afar – he was in the room.

Backstage at Knebworth with Oasis. In strip clubs with Robbie Williams. On the phone to Bowie. On the receiving end of Spice Girls gossip, Gallagher gobbiness and tabloid-era chaos. From Euro ’96 euphoria to Brit Awards anarchy, from rave culture to New Labour, Mohan witnessed the moment the UK went from scruffy indie island to global cultural powerhouse.

Part memoir, part cultural autopsy and part riotous tour through the 90s and its greatest year, 1996 is a jaw-dropping front-row seat to the madness, the music, the football, and the politics that reshaped Britain – and created legends along the way.

Three decades on, Mohan returns to the year everything peaked, and asks: what the hell happened, why did it matter, and can it ever happen again?

If you were there – this book will feel like going home.

If you weren’t – you’ll wish you had been. 💬

If I ever thumbed a copy of the Sun in the 1990s it was strictly ironic.🗞️🚽

Dr Christopher Banham is ‘Dr Humanities’, tutoring in History, Geography and Religious Studies at KS3, GCSE and A level in the UK and worldwide.👨‍🎓

Message me here on social media or email [email protected] to chat about how we can work together!🙂

I’m currently booking in students for June and September, when my exam candidates leave, and I’ll be delighted to have you along!🤜🤛

#1996

📆📆📆TUESDAYS 10.00-11.00AM, NEW SEASON BEGINS TODAY TUES 2nd JUNE 2026!!📆📆📆

💻To book in, just go to: https://linktr.ee/drhumanities 💻

We all know LEGO® is fun!🥰

Did you know that research shows LEGO® is great for learning too?🧠

✅Increased engagement, motivation and enjoyment.
✅Enhanced problem solving and critical thinking.
✅Improved social and emotional skills.

The most beneficial LEGO® activities involve structured learning rather than free play.📋

That’s what Let’s Build History!, exclusively for home-educated students, is all about!😯

Each week we use our bricks to explore a different fascinating aspect of the past, learning and growing as we build together!🧑🏰👧

Your 1985 LEGO® ‘Master Builder’-awarded host is me, Dr Christopher Banham!👨‍🎓

✅Internationally-published historian.
✅20+ years a teacher and leader in humanities education.
✅Tutoring since 2008, now a full-time professional tutor.
✅Full enhanced DBS, registered on the update service and checked daily; safeguarding trained.
✅Four decades of LEGO®-building expertise!

Let’s Build History! is designed for ages 7-14 (KS2-KS3), but don’t worry, home-edders of all ages are most welcome!👍

Grab your bricks and come join the build! 🧱🧱🧱

👨‍🎓Dr Christopher Banham is ‘Dr Humanities’, tutoring in History, Geography and Religious Studies at KS3, GCSE and A level, UK and worldwide.👨‍🎓

🧱LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group of companies; no sponsorship, authorisation or endorsement is implied.🧱